Pin belt mechanism for movement of a continuous strip

ABSTRACT

Pin belt mechanism for movement of a continuous strip or web which has pin feed holes. The belt is annular and the pins are attached thereto along the central portion thereof. The pins are easily and readily attached to the belt and removed therefrom. The belt during at least a portion of its movement engages a ramp which correctly directs each pin into a hole in the web for movement of the web. Each pin moves laterally in a substantially straight line as it assists in movement of the strip and is then removed from the hole.

United States Patent Staneck et al.

[ Sept. 5, 1972 [54] PIN BELT MECHANISM FOR MOVEMENT OF A CONTINUOUSSTRIP [72] Inventors: Robert W. Staneck, Warren County; George R.Spaleny, Dayton, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: The Standard RegisterCompany,

Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 71,727

[52] US. Cl ..226/75, 226/87 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 17/38 [58] Field ofSearch ..226/74, 75, 52, 87

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wright ..226/75 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,229,552 12/ 1966 Germany ..226/74 PrimaryExaminer-Allen N. Knowles Assistant Examiner-Gene A. ChurchAttorney-Jacox & Meckstrath ABSTRACT laterally in a substantiallystraight line as it assists in movement of the strip and is then removedfrom the hole.

6Claims,8DrawingFigures PNENTED EP 51912 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTORS ROBERTW. STANECK GEORGER. SPALENY "WM W A TTOR/VE Y PATENTEDSEP 51912 43.688.959

' sum 2 BF 2 In I 56 V Illllllmlllllllllllllllllllllll" llillllllllllllh1 PIN BELT MECHANISM FOR MOVEMENT OF A CONTINUOUS STRIP BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION Annular rotatable belts or chains having pins attachedthereto have been .used previously for movement of a continuous strip orweb. However, problems have occurred if the pins have been attached tothe belt or chain between the side edges thereof. This is due to thefact that the pitch line of such a belt or chain is within itsthickness. Thus, when a pair of rotatable wheels rotatably carry andmove the belt, the pins carried directly by the belt do not enter theholes of the web at the pitch line of the belt. Therefore, the pins donot enter the web at a proper angle to avoid interference with the webat the edges of the holes. Thus, in the past, in regard to a pin beltfeed mechanism, in order to avoid interference with the web as the pinsenter the holes in the web and to position the pins at the proper pitchline, the pins have been mounted upon stems which are attached to theedge of the belt. The stems laterally position the pins from the belt,but at the pitch line of the belt. Such structure is shown, for example,in US. Pat. Nos. 2,171,003 and 3,507,431.

Of course, such structure in which the pins are spaced laterally fromthe carrier belt or chain is more expensive to produce, occupies morespace, and is therefore less desirable than structure in which the pinsare within the belt or a part thereof between the side edges thereof.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide belt type pinfeed mechanism in which the pins are attached directly to the belt andare positioned between the side edges thereof, but in which the pinsproperly move into and out of the holes of the strip.

It is another object of this invention to provide such pin feedmechanism in which the pins are easily and readily attachable to thecarrier belt and removable therefrom.

It is another object of this invention to provide such pin feedmechanism in which each pin has a portion which cooperates with pinguide means for guiding and controlling the movement of the pin.

Another object of this invention is to provide such mechanism which canbe employed with any one of various types of machines or apparatus inwhich a continuous strip of material is moved.

' Another object of this invention is to provide such pin feed mechanismwhich is arranged in pairs of units and in which spacing between unitsis adjustable to receive a strip of a lesser width or of a greaterwidth.

Another object of this invention is to provide such mechanism in whichsuch a unit is automatically secured in any adjusted position.

Another object of this invention is to provide such mechanism which canbe produced at relatively low costs and is long lived.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of theinvention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the modeof operation, as will become more apparent from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview, with parts broken away and shown in section, of mechanism of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view, drawn on a slightly larger scalethan FIG. 1, showing a portion of the mechanism thereof.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view, drawn on a larger scale than FIG.2, of a portion of the mechanism thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of thestructure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of thestructure shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 7, butshowing elements of the structure in another position of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Strip feed mechanism of thisinvention may comprise an individual machine for movement of acontinuous strip, or mechanism of this invention may be a part ofapparatus which performs certain functions upon a continuous strip orweb of material.

The mechanism is shown in FIG. 1 as being provided with a pair ofspaced-apart support members 12 and 14. A drive shaft 16 is rotatablysupported by the support members 12 and 14 and extends therebetween. Ashaft 18 is non-rotatably supported by the support members 12 and 14 andextends therebetween, in substantially parallel spaced relationship withrespect to the drive shaft 16.

Supported by the shafts l6 and 18 are a pair of drive units 22 and 24.The drive units 22 and 24 are similar one with respect to the other. Thedrive unit 22 is described below in detail. Corresponding referencenumeralsare applied to elements of the drive unit 24.

The drive unit 22 has a carriage 28 which is carried by the shafts l6and 18, as theshafts 16 and 18 extend through the carriage 28. The driveshaft 16 is rotatably journalled in the carriage 28, and the carriage 28is also slidably movable upon the shafts 16 and 18. Adjacent thecarriage 28 and joined to the shaft 16 for rotation therewith is a drivewheel 30 which has a plurality of radially extending lugs 32. Rotatablysupported upon the shaft 18 adjacent the carriage 28 is a driven wheel36 which has a plurality of radially extending lugs 38. The wheels 30and 36 are slidably movable along the shafts 16 and 18, respectively,with sliding movement of the carriage 28 along the shafts l6 and 18.

An annular flexible band in the form of a chain or belt 42 encompassesthe wheels 30 and 36. The belt 42 has a plurality of spaced-apart lugs44 at the inner surface thereof. The belt 42 has a plurality of holes 46therethrough, as shown in FIG. 2. Herein there is shown a hole 46 in thebelt 42 between alternate pairs of adjacent lugs 44.

A pin 50 extends through each hole 46. Each pin 50 is shown as beingtapered at the portion thereof which is on the outer surface of the belt42. Each pin 50 has an intermediate part 52 which has a transversedimension substantially equal to that of the hole 46 through which thepin 50 extends. Thus, the intermediate part 52 snugly fits within thehole 46. The intermediate part 52 is considerably less in transversedimension than the tapered part of the pin 50. Each pin 50 has a base 55which fits between two adjacent lugs 44 on the inner surface of the belt42. Each pin 50 may be molded, or cast, or machined, or the like, and ispreferably of a plastics material, such as Delrin or the like, having alow coefficient of friction. However, each pin 50 may be of steel orother metallic material.

The belt 42 is preferably of elastomeric material. Each pin 50 isattached to the belt 42 by forcing the tapered part of the pin 50through an opening 46. The tapered part of the pin 50 is positioned atthe outer surface of the belt 42 and the base 55 is positioned at theinner surface of the belt 42. Thus, the pins 50 are attached to the belt42 for movement with rotative movement of the belt 42.

An elongate guide member 56 is attached to the carriage 28 in anysuitable manner, such as by means of screws 58. The guide member 56 hasa channel 59 along the length thereof, within which the base 55 of eachpin 50 moves during rotative movement of the. belt 42. As shown in FIG.4, the floor of the channel 59 has a forward sloped or inclined portion61, a main portion 63, and a rear sloped or inclined portion 65.

Also attached to the carriage 28 in any suitable manner, such as bymeans of screws 60, is a plate 62. The plate 62 is also attached to theguide member 56 by means of a screw 57. The plate 62 has an elongateslot 64 therein which extends most of the length thereof and is open atone end thereof, as shown in FIG. 2. The portion of the plate 62 whichhas the slot 64 therein is positioned above the channel 59 of the guidemember 56. Thus, the tapered part of each pin 50 which is disposed inthe channel 59 extends through the slot 64.

A plate 66 is pivotally attached, by suitable means, such as a pin 67,to the plate 62 and is normally positioned above the plate 62. The plate66 may be pivotally moved to a position substantially at right an- Igles to the plate 62. The plate 66 has a slot 68 therein which extendsmost of the length thereof. and which is aligned with the slot 64 of theplate 62 so that a part of a pin 50 may also be disposed within the slot64. The plate 66 has a tab 70 for manual pivotal movement of the plate66.

An abutment screw 72 is adjustably attached to the carriage 28 and isengageable by the plate 66 and spaces the plate 66 from the plate 62.

A spring 74 is attached to the carriage 28 and to the plate 66 and urgesthe plate 66 toward the plate 62 when the plates 62 and 66 are insubstantially parallel relationship.

A clamping member 78 is pivotally attached to the carriage 28 andencompasses the shaft 18. The clamping member 78 has a handle 80 forpivotal movement thereof. A spring 82 is attached to the carriage 28 andto the clamping member 78 and urges the clamping member 78 towardclamping position upon the shaft 18.

OPERATION The drive units 22 and 24 are adjustably movable along thelength of the shafts l6 and 18. Therefore, the drive units 22 and 24 maybe moved one toward the other or one from the other, as illustrated byarrows 86 in FIG. 1. Thus, the drive units 22 and 24 are positionable toreceive a continuous strip or web 88 which is of any reasonable width.

The clamping member 78 has an opening therein which is smaller at oneportion and larger at another portion. The spring 82, which is attachedto the clamping member 78, urges pivotal movement thereof so that thesmaller part of the clamping member 78 encompasses the shaft 18. Thus,the drive unit 22 or 24 is prevented from movement along the shaft 18.

When it is desired to change the spaced relationship between the driveunits 22 and 24, the handle of the unit which is to be moved, ismanually engaged and pivotally moved. Thus, the clamping member 78 ispivotally moved so that the larger part of the clamping member 78 isadjacent the shaft 18. Then the drive unit 22 or 24 is movable along thelength of the shaft 18 and is also, of course, movable along the lengthof the shaft 16, for changing the spaced relationship between the driveunits 22 and 24.

The continuous web or strip 88 has a row of feedholes 90 adjacent eachof the edges thereof, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the edges of the strip88 has a portion thereof between the plates 66 and 62 of the drive unit22 or 24. In positioning an edge portion of the web 88 between theplates 62 and 66 of a drive unit 22 or 24, the plate 66 is pivotallymoved to a substantially vertical position, and the edge portion of theweb 88 is laid upon the plate 62, with some of the pins 50 extendingthrough some of the holes 90 of the web 88.

Then the plate 66 is pivotally moved into substantially parallelrelationship with the plate 62, as the plate 66 engages the abutmentscrew 72 which positions the plate 66 a slight distance from the plate62. The abutment screw 72 is adjusted to space the plate 66 from theplate 62 a distance which is slightly greater than the thickness of theweb 88. Thus, the edge portion of the web 88 can move between the plates62 and 66. If a web or strip 88 of a greater thickness is positionedbetween the plates 62 and 66, the abutment screw 72 is adjusted toposition the plate 66 a slightly greater distance from the plate 62.

The shaft 16 is rotated by any suitable motor means, not shown. Due tothe fact that the wheel 30 of each drive unit 22 and 24 is attached tothe shaft 16 for rotation therewith, the wheel 30 of each drive unit 22and 24 rotates with rotation of the shaft 16.

A lug 32 of the wheel 30 fits between two adjacent lugs 44 of the belt42 for rotatively driving the belt 42. As the belt 42 rotatively moves,the pins 50 thereof move into the holes 90 in the web 88 and move theweb 88 as illustrated by an arrow 94 in FIG. 1. The web 88 is shown asbeing substantially coplanar as it travels adjacent the drive units 22and 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6, the main portion 63 of the floor ofthe channel 59 of the guide member 56 is substantially straight andextends along the mid-portion of the channel 59. However, the forwardportion 61 and the rear portion 65 are inclined. Thus, as the belt 42rotatively moves, the pins 50 move in seriatim relationship into thechannel 59. The base 55 of the pin 50 engages the inclined forwardportion 61 of the channel 59 and moves thereupon. The angle of inclineof the forward portion 61 causes each pin 50 to move angu larly in amanner to compensate for the difference between the pitch line of thebelt and the line of travel of the web 88. Thus, each pin 50freelyenters a hole 90, without coming into contact with the web 88adjacent the hole 90. Each pin 50 after movement into a hole 90, movesupon the main portion 63 of the channel 59 and laterally moves intoengagement with the web 88 at the forward part of its respective hole 90and urges forward movement of the web 88. After each pin 50 has movedforwardly upon the main portion 63 of the channel 59, the pin 50 movesdownwardly upon the rear portion 65 of the channel 59. Thus, each pin 50freely moves from its respective hole 90, without substantial engagementwith the web 88 during withdrawal of the pin 50. Due to the fact thatthe elongate slot 64 of each plate 62 is open at the withdrawal endthereof, a possible constricted region is eliminated. Therefore, thepossibility of jamming of paper in this region of the mechanism isgreatly reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when each pin 50 has its base 55 within thechannel 59 of the guide member 56, a portion of the upper surface of thebase 55 is below the plate 62. Thus, even when the belt 42 rotativelymoves at a high rate of speed and high centrifugal forces exist, thebase 55 of each pin 50 remains within the channel 59.

Thus, the web 88 is properly'moved forwardly substantially linearly.

Although the preferred embodiment of the has been described, it will beunderstood that within the purview of this invention various changes maybe made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, thecombination thereof and mode of operation, which generally statedconsist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, asdisclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed: 1

1. Mechanism for movement of a continuous webprovided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprismg:

a pair of spaced-apart rotatable wheels, rotatable about parallel axes,

an annular flexible band having opposed side edges, the bandencompassing the wheels and rotatable therewith,

a guide member within the confines of the band and intermediate thewheels, the guide member being provided with a guide surface having amain portion and a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion, themain portion being substantially straight and separating the rampportions, the guide member having a channel, the guide surface of theguide member being within the channel,

a plurality of pin members attached to the band in aligned relationshipintermediate the side edges thereof, each pin member having a baseengageable with the guide surface of the guide member and movabletherealong, the pin members being moved with rotative movement of theband as the pin members move in seriatirn relationship along the guidesurface of the guide member, each pin member moving along the first rampportion of the surface to the main portion thereof and then along themain portion to the second ramp portion and then along the second rampportion to the end of the guide surface of the guide member,

the pin members being adapted to move a continuous web as asubstantially coplanar portion of the web is disposed adjacent the bandand is substantially parallel to the main portion of the guide surfaceof the guide member, the coplanar portion of the web being farther fromthe ramp portions of the guide surface of the guide member than from themain portion of the guide surface of the guide member, each pin memberthus approaching the web at an angle as the pin member moves along thefirst ramp portion and gradually and freely enters into an aperture ofthe web, without distortion of the web at the edge of the aperture, thepin member engaging an edge of the aperture after the pin member entersthe aperture and is normal to the coplanar portion of the web, the pinmember thus being in driving relationship to the web as the pin memberengages the web at an edge portion of the aperture, the pin member thenmoving in a substantially straight line along the main portion of theguide surface of the guide member, the pin member then gradually movingfrom the aperture in the web as the pin member moves along the secondramp portion of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin memberthus smoothly withdrawing from the aperture without distortion of theweb at the edge of the aperture.

2. Mechanism for movement of a continuous web provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprismg:

a pair of spaced-apart rotatable wheels, rotatable about parallel axes,

an annular flexible band having opposed side edges, the bandencompassing the wheels and rotatable therewith,

a guide member within the confines of the band and intermediate thewheels, the guide member being provided with a guide surface having amain portion and a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion, themain portion being substantially straight and separating the rampportions,

a plurality of pin members attached to the band in aligned relationshipintermediate the side edges thereof, each pin member having a baseengageable with the guide surface of the guide member and movabletherealong, the pin members being moved with rotative movement of theband as the pin members move in seriatim relationship along the guidesurface of the guide member, each pin member moving along the first rampportion of the surface to the main portion thereof and then along themain portion to the second ramp portion and then along the second rampportion to the end of the guide surface of the guide member, the bandhaving a plurality of holes therethrough, each pin member extendingthrough a hole in the band, the band having a plurality of spaced-apartlugs on the inner surface thereof and each of the wheels having aplurality of spaced-apart lugs at the periphery thereof, lugs of thewheels and lugs of the band being in meshed relationship, each hole inthe band being intermediate two of the lugs thereof, each pin memberhaving a stern portion snugly disposed within a hole of the belt, withparts of the pin member at opposed sides of the belt, each stem portionhaving a lesser cross-sectional dimension than the parts of the pinmember at the opposed sides of the belt,

the pin members being adapted to move a continuous web as asubstantially coplanar portion of the web is disposed adjacent the bandand is substantially parallel to the main portion of the guide surfaceof the guide member, the coplanar portion of the web being farther fromthe ramp portions of the guide surface of the guide member than from themain portion of the guide surface of the guide member, each pin memberthus approaching the web at an angle as the pin member moves along thefirst ramp portion and gradually and freely enters into an aperture ofthe web, without distortion of the web at the edge of the aperture, thepin member engaging an edge of the aperture after the pin member entersthe aperture and is normal to the coplanar portion of the web, the pinmember thus being in driving relationship to the web as the pin memberengages the web at an edge portion of the aperture, the pin member thenmoving in a substantially straight line along the main portion of theguide surface of the guide member, the pin member then gradually movingfrom the aperture in the web as the pin member moves along the secondramp portion of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin memberthus smoothly withdrawing from the aperture without distortion of theweb at the edge of the aperture;

3. Mechanism for movement of a continuous web provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising:

if a guide member within the confines of the band and intermediate thewheels, the guide member being provided with a guide surface having amain portion and a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion, themain portion being substantially straight and separating the rampportions,

a plurality of pin members attached to the band in aligned relationshipintermediate the side edges thereof,

each pin member having a base engageable with the guide surface of theguide member and movable therealong, the pin members being moved withrotative movement of the band as the pin members move in seriatimrelationship along the guide surface of the guide member, each pinmember moving along the first ramp portion of the surface to the mainportion thereof and then along the main portion to the second rampportion and then along the second ramp portion to the end of the guidesurface of the guide member,

the pin members being adapted to move a continuous web as asubstantially coplanar portion of the web is disposed adjacent the bandand is substantially parallel to the main portion of the guide surfaceof the guide member, the coplanar portion of the web being farther fromthe ramp portions of the guide surface of the guide member than from themain portion of the guide surface of the guide 6 member, each pin memberthus approaching the web at an angle as the pin member moves along thefirst ramp portion and gradually and freely enters into an aperture ofthe web, without distortion of the web at the edge of the aperture, thepin member engaging an edge of the aperture after the pin member entersthe aperture and is normal to the coplanar portion of the web, the pinmember thus being in driving relationship to the web as the pin memberengages the web at an edge portion of the aperture, the pin member thenmoving in a substantially straight line along the main portion of theguide surface of the guide member, the pin member then gradually movingfrom the aperture in the web as the pin member moves along the secondramp portion of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin memberthus smoothly withdrawing from the aperture without distortion of theweb at the edge of the aperture,

a pair of substantially parallel spaced-apart shafts, one of the shaftsbeing rotatable and the other shaft being non-rotatable, one of thewheels being rotatably attached to the non-rotatable shaft for rotationwith respect thereto, the other wheel being attached to the rotatableshaft for rotation therewith, each wheel being slidably axially movableupon its respective shaft,

support means carried by the shafts adjacent the wheels and movablealong the shafts, the guide member being carried by the support means,

clamping means attached to the support means and engageable with thenon-rotatable shaft for securing the position of the support means withrespect to the shafts.

4. Mechanism for movement of a continuous strip which is provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising:

an annular flexible band arranged to rotate about a pair ofsubstantially parallel axes,

the band including a belt having a pair of side edges and a plurality ofpins arranged in aligned spacedapart relationship around the belt anddisposed between the side edges thereof,

guide means within the confines of the band and engageable thereby, theguide means having an elongate main surface portion which issubstantially straight and a sloped surface portion leading to theelongate main surface portion,

successive portions of the band moving along the sloped surface portionto the main surface portion as the pins gradually enter the apertures ina strip which is substantially parallel to the main surface portion,successive portions of the band then moving along the elongate mainsurface portion as the pins within the apertures engage the strip at theedges of the apertures and move the strip,

the belt having holes therein in which the pins are removably disposed,each pin having opposed end portions and an intermediate portion, theintermediate portion being snugly disposed within a hole in the belt, I

the intermediate portion of each pin being smaller than the opposed endportions of the pin.

5. Mechanism for movement of a continuous strip which is provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising:

an annular flexible band arranged to rotate about a pair ofsubstantially parallel axes,

the band including a belt having a pair of side edges and a plurality ofpins arranged in aligned spacedapart relationship around the belt anddisposed between the side edges thereof,

pin members move in seriatim relationship along the guide surface of theguide member, each pin member moving along the first ramp portion of thesurface to the main portion thereof and then along guide means withinthe confines of the band and enthe main portion to the second rampportion and gageable thereby, the guide means having an elonthen alongthe second ramp portion to the end of gate main surface portion which issubstantially the guide surface of the guide member, straight and asloped surface portion leading to the the pin members being adapted tomove a continuelongate-main surface portion, ous web as a substantiallycoplanar portion of the successive portions of the band moving along theweb is disposed adjacent the band and is substansloped surface portionto the main surface portion tially parallel to the main portion of theguide suras the pins gradually enter the apertures in a strip face ofthe guide member, the coplanar portion of which is substantiallyparallel to the main surface the web being farther from the rampportions of portion, successive portions of the band then movthe guidesurface of the guide member than from ing along the elongate mainsurface portion as the the main portion of the guide surface of theguide pins within the apertures engage the strip at the member, each pinmember thus approaching the edges of the apertures and move the strip,the web at an angle as the pin member moves along guide means beingprovided with a channel in the first ramp portion and gradually andfreely enwhich the elongate main surface portion is located, ters intoan aperture of the web, without distortion the mechanism includingasupport member which of the web at the edge of the aperture, the pincovers the channel, the support member having a member engaging an edgeof the aperture after the Substantially coplanar Surface, the Stu-phaving a pin member enters the aperture and is normal to portion inengagement with the coplanar surface the e e e i of e e the Pm member ofthe Suppen member, at least one of the pins thus being m drivingrelationship to the web as the being disposed within an aperture of thestrip. P member engegee the web at an edge e of 6. Mechanism formovement of a continuous web the apeeturei e member W a provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprissubstaeeeny Strelght lme eleeg themam Porno P ing: the guide surface of the guide member, the pin a pairof spaced-apart rotatable wheels, rotatable fnember then gradually mevmgfrom the aperture about parallel axes, in the web as the pm member movesalong the an annular flexible band having opposed side edges, seeondramp Porno e e gmde Surface of the the band encompassing the wheels androtatable e' e .the Pm thus e e therewith, withdrawing from the aperturewithout distortion a guide member within the confines of the band and ofthe web at the edge of aperture intermediate the wheels, the guidemember being web Support -e e web PP means havmg 3 provided with a guidesurface having a main por- Plenar Pan whlee manually parallel to e tiehand a first ramp portion and a Second ramp ad acent the mam surfaceportion of the gu de portion, the main portion being substantiallymeans, each pin member having a base portion Straight and Separating theramp portions, movable between the web support means and the a pluralityof pin members attached to the band in 40 P of h gulde Surface of theguide aligned relationship intermediate the side edges memberitheplanrpafl offhe Web W9 means thereof, each pin member having a baseehgagea having a slot therein a portion of each pinmember ble with theguide Surface of the guide member being movable within the slot, theslot being open and movable therealong, the pin members being at one endthereofmoved with rotative movement of the band as the

1. Mechanism for movement of a continuous web provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising: a pair of spaced-apartrotatable wheels, rotatable about parallel axes, an annular flexibleband having opposed side edges, the Band encompassing the wheels androtatable therewith, a guide member within the confines of the band andintermediate the wheels, the guide member being provided with a guidesurface having a main portion and a first ramp portion and a second rampportion, the main portion being substantially straight and separatingthe ramp portions, the guide member having a channel, the guide surfaceof the guide member being within the channel, a plurality of pin membersattached to the band in aligned relationship intermediate the side edgesthereof, each pin member having a base engageable with the guide surfaceof the guide member and movable therealong, the pin members being movedwith rotative movement of the band as the pin members move in seriatimrelationship along the guide surface of the guide member, each pinmember moving along the first ramp portion of the surface to the mainportion thereof and then along the main portion to the second rampportion and then along the second ramp portion to the end of the guidesurface of the guide member, the pin members being adapted to move acontinuous web as a substantially coplanar portion of the web isdisposed adjacent the band and is substantially parallel to the mainportion of the guide surface of the guide member, the coplanar portionof the web being farther from the ramp portions of the guide surface ofthe guide member than from the main portion of the guide surface of theguide member, each pin member thus approaching the web at an angle asthe pin member moves along the first ramp portion and gradually andfreely enters into an aperture of the web, without distortion of the webat the edge of the aperture, the pin member engaging an edge of theaperture after the pin member enters the aperture and is normal to thecoplanar portion of the web, the pin member thus being in drivingrelationship to the web as the pin member engages the web at an edgeportion of the aperture, the pin member then moving in a substantiallystraight line along the main portion of the guide surface of the guidemember, the pin member then gradually moving from the aperture in theweb as the pin member moves along the second ramp portion of the guidesurface of the guide member, the pin member thus smoothly withdrawingfrom the aperture without distortion of the web at the edge of theaperture.
 2. Mechanism for movement of a continuous web provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising: a pair of spaced-apartrotatable wheels, rotatable about parallel axes, an annular flexibleband having opposed side edges, the band encompassing the wheels androtatable therewith, a guide member within the confines of the band andintermediate the wheels, the guide member being provided with a guidesurface having a main portion and a first ramp portion and a second rampportion, the main portion being substantially straight and separatingthe ramp portions, a plurality of pin members attached to the band inaligned relationship intermediate the side edges thereof, each pinmember having a base engageable with the guide surface of the guidemember and movable therealong, the pin members being moved with rotativemovement of the band as the pin members move in seriatim relationshipalong the guide surface of the guide member, each pin member movingalong the first ramp portion of the surface to the main portion thereofand then along the main portion to the second ramp portion and thenalong the second ramp portion to the end of the guide surface of theguide member, the band having a plurality of holes therethrough, eachpin member extending through a hole in the band, the band having aplurality of spaced-apart lugs on the inner surface thereof and each ofthe wheels having a plurality of spaced-apart lugs at the peripherythereof, lugs of the wheels and lugs of the band being in meshedrelationship, each hole in the band being intermediate two of the lugsthereof, each pin member having a stem portion snugly disposed Within ahole of the belt, with parts of the pin member at opposed sides of thebelt, each stem portion having a lesser cross-sectional dimension thanthe parts of the pin member at the opposed sides of the belt, the pinmembers being adapted to move a continuous web as a substantiallycoplanar portion of the web is disposed adjacent the band and issubstantially parallel to the main portion of the guide surface of theguide member, the coplanar portion of the web being farther from theramp portions of the guide surface of the guide member than from themain portion of the guide surface of the guide member, each pin memberthus approaching the web at an angle as the pin member moves along thefirst ramp portion and gradually and freely enters into an aperture ofthe web, without distortion of the web at the edge of the aperture, thepin member engaging an edge of the aperture after the pin member entersthe aperture and is normal to the coplanar portion of the web, the pinmember thus being in driving relationship to the web as the pin memberengages the web at an edge portion of the aperture, the pin member thenmoving in a substantially straight line along the main portion of theguide surface of the guide member, the pin member then gradually movingfrom the aperture in the web as the pin member moves along the secondramp portion of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin memberthus smoothly withdrawing from the aperture without distortion of theweb at the edge of the aperture.
 3. Mechanism for movement of acontinuous web provided with a longitudinal row of apertures comprising:a pair of spaced-apart rotatable wheels, rotatable about parallel axes,an annular flexible band having opposed side edges, the bandencompassing the wheels and rotatable therewith, a guide member withinthe confines of the band and intermediate the wheels, the guide memberbeing provided with a guide surface having a main portion and a firstramp portion and a second ramp portion, the main portion beingsubstantially straight and separating the ramp portions, a plurality ofpin members attached to the band in aligned relationship intermediatethe side edges thereof, each pin member having a base engageable withthe guide surface of the guide member and movable therealong, the pinmembers being moved with rotative movement of the band as the pinmembers move in seriatim relationship along the guide surface of theguide member, each pin member moving along the first ramp portion of thesurface to the main portion thereof and then along the main portion tothe second ramp portion and then along the second ramp portion to theend of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin members beingadapted to move a continuous web as a substantially coplanar portion ofthe web is disposed adjacent the band and is substantially parallel tothe main portion of the guide surface of the guide member, the coplanarportion of the web being farther from the ramp portions of the guidesurface of the guide member than from the main portion of the guidesurface of the guide member, each pin member thus approaching the web atan angle as the pin member moves along the first ramp portion andgradually and freely enters into an aperture of the web, withoutdistortion of the web at the edge of the aperture, the pin memberengaging an edge of the aperture after the pin member enters theaperture and is normal to the coplanar portion of the web, the pinmember thus being in driving relationship to the web as the pin memberengages the web at an edge portion of the aperture, the pin member thenmoving in a substantially straight line along the main portion of theguide surface of the guide member, the pin member then gradually movingfrom the aperture in the web as the pin member moves along the secondramp portion of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin memberthus smoothly withdrawing from the aperture without distortion of theweb at the edge of the aperture, a pAir of substantially parallelspaced-apart shafts, one of the shafts being rotatable and the othershaft being non-rotatable, one of the wheels being rotatably attached tothe non-rotatable shaft for rotation with respect thereto, the otherwheel being attached to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, eachwheel being slidably axially movable upon its respective shaft, supportmeans carried by the shafts adjacent the wheels and movable along theshafts, the guide member being carried by the support means, clampingmeans attached to the support means and engageable with thenon-rotatable shaft for securing the position of the support means withrespect to the shafts.
 4. Mechanism for movement of a continuous stripwhich is provided with a longitudinal row of apertures comprising: anannular flexible band arranged to rotate about a pair of substantiallyparallel axes, the band including a belt having a pair of side edges anda plurality of pins arranged in aligned spaced-apart relationship aroundthe belt and disposed between the side edges thereof, guide means withinthe confines of the band and engageable thereby, the guide means havingan elongate main surface portion which is substantially straight and asloped surface portion leading to the elongate main surface portion,successive portions of the band moving along the sloped surface portionto the main surface portion as the pins gradually enter the apertures ina strip which is substantially parallel to the main surface portion,successive portions of the band then moving along the elongate mainsurface portion as the pins within the apertures engage the strip at theedges of the apertures and move the strip, the belt having holes thereinin which the pins are removably disposed, each pin having opposed endportions and an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion beingsnugly disposed within a hole in the belt, the intermediate portion ofeach pin being smaller than the opposed end portions of the pin. 5.Mechanism for movement of a continuous strip which is provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising: an annular flexible bandarranged to rotate about a pair of substantially parallel axes, the bandincluding a belt having a pair of side edges and a plurality of pinsarranged in aligned spaced-apart relationship around the belt anddisposed between the side edges thereof, guide means within the confinesof the band and engageable thereby, the guide means having an elongatemain surface portion which is substantially straight and a slopedsurface portion leading to the elongate main surface portion, successiveportions of the band moving along the sloped surface portion to the mainsurface portion as the pins gradually enter the apertures in a stripwhich is substantially parallel to the main surface portion, successiveportions of the band then moving along the elongate main surface portionas the pins within the apertures engage the strip at the edges of theapertures and move the strip, the guide means being provided with achannel in which the elongate main surface portion is located, themechanism including a support member which covers the channel, thesupport member having a substantially coplanar surface, the strip havinga portion in engagement with the coplanar surface of the support member,at least one of the pins being disposed within an aperture of the strip.6. Mechanism for movement of a continuous web provided with alongitudinal row of apertures comprising: a pair of spaced-apartrotatable wheels, rotatable about parallel axes, an annular flexibleband having opposed side edges, the band encompassing the wheels androtatable therewith, a guide member within the confines of the band andintermediate the wheels, the guide member being provided with a guidesurface having a main portion and a first ramp portion and a second rampportion, the main portion being substantially straight and separatingthE ramp portions, a plurality of pin members attached to the band inaligned relationship intermediate the side edges thereof, each pinmember having a base engageable with the guide surface of the guidemember and movable therealong, the pin members being moved with rotativemovement of the band as the pin members move in seriatim relationshipalong the guide surface of the guide member, each pin member movingalong the first ramp portion of the surface to the main portion thereofand then along the main portion to the second ramp portion and thenalong the second ramp portion to the end of the guide surface of theguide member, the pin members being adapted to move a continuous web asa substantially coplanar portion of the web is disposed adjacent theband and is substantially parallel to the main portion of the guidesurface of the guide member, the coplanar portion of the web beingfarther from the ramp portions of the guide surface of the guide memberthan from the main portion of the guide surface of the guide member,each pin member thus approaching the web at an angle as the pin membermoves along the first ramp portion and gradually and freely enters intoan aperture of the web, without distortion of the web at the edge of theaperture, the pin member engaging an edge of the aperture after the pinmember enters the aperture and is normal to the coplanar portion of theweb, the pin member thus being in driving relationship to the web as thepin member engages the web at an edge portion of the aperture, the pinmember then moving in a substantially straight line along the mainportion of the guide surface of the guide member, the pin member thengradually moving from the aperture in the web as the pin member movesalong the second ramp portion of the guide surface of the guide member,the pin member thus smoothly withdrawing from the aperture withoutdistortion of the web at the edge of the aperture, web support means,the web support means having a planar part which is substantiallyparallel to and adjacent the main surface portion of the guide means,each pin member having a base portion movable between the web supportmeans and the main portion of the guide surface of the guide member, theplanar part of the web support means having a slot therein, a portion ofeach pin member being movable within the slot, the slot being open atone end thereof.